Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Michigan

Landlord/tenant dispute

We rented a home in Alma, Michigan. We told the landlord that we were going to be out of town for a few weeks. While we were gone, they went into our house and took pictures and threw away some of our stuff, saying we left the house a mess when we moved. We were paid up through April 1, but when I called her on March 30 to say the rent would be late, she told me to get my stuff out by April 1. When we went there on March 31 to move, we found things thrown away and our stuff thrown in trash bags. About 15 minutes after we arrived there, her mother showed up and walked right in. She took back my house key and said she was staying there until the landlord arrived. The landlord came and gave me a copy of the lease, which we hadn't originally received. Then she left. In with the lease was a note stating that she was suing us if we didn't pay her for the ''cleaning and repairs'' she had done after we ''moved''. We hadn't moved yet, obviously. Also, when we moved in, the building inspector from the city gave them a lsit of repairs they had to do to make the house ''rentable''. They never completed any of the repairs, and since we were friends we tried to give the more time. So, what exactly are my options?? Thank you.


Asked on 4/01/07, 8:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Sevick Law Office of Christopher Sevick, PLC

Re: Landlord/tenant dispute

Given the facts as you have presented them it appears that you have been wrongfully evicted or at least constructively evicted by having some of your items moved and your house key taken. You may have rights for damages for your items being removed, thrown away, and disturbed. In addition, you may have a claim for other damages such for the wrongful entry of the landlord. I would recommend that you contact a real estate attorney as soon as possible so that you can prepare for your own case if necessary prior to the date for the one you indicate the landlord has filed for.

Please be prepared to provide a copy of the lease and the notice about the lawsuit to anyone you contact so they can assist you in preparing.

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Answered on 4/01/07, 9:23 pm


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